Why do we say Vanakkam (or Namasthe)?
Meaning of some uncommon terms used:
- Prostrate - to lie prone or stretched out with the face downward or bow very low, e.g. in worship or submission (Kaalil vizhunthu kumbiduvathu)
Most of the Indians greet each other with Vanakkam (or Namasthe). The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word Vanakkam. This greeting is for all, that is, both younger and elder people.
There are five forms of formal traditional greeting enjoined in the shaastras of which namaskaram is one. This is understood as prostration but it actually refers to paying homage as we do today when we greet each other with a Vanakkam.
Vanakkam or Namasthe could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship. However there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit namah + te = Namasthe. It means - I bow to you - my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. Namaha can also be literally interpreted as "na ma" (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one's ego in the presence of another.
The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet another, we do so with Vanakkam, which means, "may our minds meet," indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship in love and humility
The spiritual meaning is even deeper. The life force, the divinity, the Self or the Lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we salute with head bowed the Divinity in the person we meet. That is why sometimes, we close our eyes as we do Vanakkam to a revered person or the Lord - as if to look within. The gesture is often accompanied by words like "Ram Ram," "Jai Shri Krishna", "Namo Narayana", "Jai Siya Ram", "Om Shanti" etc - indicating the recognition of this divinity.
When we know this significance, our greeting does not remain just a superficial gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper communion with another in an atmosphere of love and respect.
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